GEO 401 Physical Geology (Fall 2010) Unique Numbers Class: JGB 2.324; MWF 9:00-10:00 Labs: JGB 2.310; time according to your unique number

Transcription

1 GEO 401 Physical Geology (Fall 2010) Unique Numbers Class: JGB 2.324; MWF 9:00-10:00 Labs: JGB 2.310; time according to your unique number Professors: Jaime Barnes, JGB 3.320A, , Office hours: MF 11-12; or by appointment Dan Breecker, JGB 4.124, , Office hours: MF 11-12; or by appointment Online course information: plus your EID Textbooks (both mandatory): Lecture: Understanding Earth, by Grotzinger and Jordan, 6 th edition Laboratory: Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, by Busch, R. M., ed. 8 th edition General: This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of physical geology. There are no prerequisites for this course. There are 3 hours of lecture each week (MWF 9-10), and one 2- hour laboratory session (specific to your unique #). Goals of the Course: Most of you will not grow up to be geologists, so why should you take this course? Geology is an interdisciplinary science, incorporating aspects of mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics. We hope to help you to become more critical thinkers by learning to apply the scientific method to your daily life and assess and filter complex material for yourself. You will gain an increased awareness of geological hazards and the tectonic processes responsible for volcanism and earthquakes. We will continually thread the concepts of Earth as a system and plate tectonics to new topics throughout the class. We also hope you will gain an understanding and appreciation of deep time, the processes that formed the soil beneath your feet and the landscapes around you, and your physical impact upon the Earth. Knowledge of geology is useful for careers in education, law, journalism, forensics, public health and many other fields besides the geosciences. Week Date Topic Reading Lab 1 25-Aug Introduction-Why should we care about No lab this week geology?; Scientific method 27-Aug Origin of Earth; Earth's structure (overview) Ch.1; p Aug Plate tectonics Ch.1 con't; Ch.2 1: Plate tectonics 1-Sep Plate tectonics Ch.2 con't 3-Sep Earth materials- minerals and rocks p Sep No class- Labor Day 2: Minerals 1

2 8-Sep Earth materials- minerals and rocks, con't p con't Monday labs- attend 10-Sep Igneous rocks and processes Ch.4 any other session 4 13-Sep Igneous rocks and processes, con't Ch.4 con't 3: Igneous Rocks 15-Sep Sedimentation Ch.5 17-Sep Sedimentary rocks Ch.5 con't 5 20-Sep Metamorphic rocks Ch.6 4: Sedimentary Rocks 22-Sep Metamorphic processes Ch.6 con't 24-Sep ***FIRST EXAM*** 6 27-Sep Deformation Ch.7 29-Sep Geologic Time: relative dating p Oct Geologic Time: absolute dating p Isostasy; Origin & evolution of the p , 7 4-Oct continents Ch.10 5: Metamorphic Rocks 6: Geologic Time 6-Oct Orogenesis Ch.10, con't 8-Oct Volcanoes Ch Oct Volcanoes, con't Ch.12, con't Lab Midterm Exam 13-Oct Earthquakes- mechanics Ch Oct Earthquakes- hazards Ch.13, con't Interior of the Earth- how do we know Ch Oct what's in there? 7: Earthquakes Earth's internal structure; convection; Ch.14, con't 20-Oct magnetic field 22-Oct ***SECOND EXAM*** Oct The climate system Ch.15 8: Topographic Maps 27-Oct Weathering and soil formation Ch Oct Erosion and mass wasting Ch.16, con't 11 1-Nov The hydrologic cycle Ch.17 9: Geologic Structure 3-Nov Groundwater and aquifers Ch.17, con't 5-Nov Rivers and streams: Austin's water supply Ch Nov Winds, deserts, and desertification Ch.19 10: Streams 10-Nov Coastal processes Ch Nov Glaciers Ch Nov Past glaciations; Sea level change Ch.21, con't 11: Groundwater 17-Nov Mineral resources p Nov Energy-related resources: fossil fuels Ch Nov Energy-related resources: alternative energy Ch.23, con't Thanksgiving 24-Nov Forensic Geology- just for fun! No labs this week 26-Nov No class- Thanksgiving Nov Human impact on Earth Ch.23, con't Lab Final 1-Dec ***THIRD EXAM*** 2

3 3-Dec Overview and Synthesis FINAL EXAM: Thursday, December 9, 9 am - noon (August 30th: Last day of the official add/drop period) Lecture: The lecture schedule gives the order of lectures and indicates associated reading assignments (note, the lecture schedule is subject to change as needed throughout the semester). The lectures and reading assignments are designed to complement and reinforce each other, so please take advantage of your textbook. Anything presented in either the lectures or reading assignments is fair game on examinations. We do not take attendance, but good attendance is critical for your success in this class. Please be considerate of myself and your classmates. We will respect you, so please respect us. Disruptions during lecture will not be tolerated. Please turn off cell phones and pagers! If you bring a laptop to class, please sit where you will not disturb your neighbors. Exams: During the semester there will be three lecture exams, given during the regular lecture period. Each exam will cover material from the date of the previous exam up through the class before the exam. However, this course builds upon basic concepts learned early in the course, therefore you will need to retain knowledge of material covered throughout the semester for optimal performance on all exams. The lecture final exam is cumulative and will cover material from the entire course. Note, we do NOT give lecture make-up exams. You will be allowed to drop your lowest test score from the three lecture exams (see grading below). We do not drop the final exam - everyone must take the final. You must bring your UT ID cards to all exams. Pencils and erasers will NOT be provided. Laboratory: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Credit will not be given for work turned in without attending a lab session. You must attend the lab for which you enrolled (unless prior arrangements have been made with the TA or instructor). Working diligently for the full lab period will ensure minimizing the time required to complete labs outside of lab time and maximizing your grade. Lab exercises are due at the beginning of the next session for that specific lab section (e.g., for a lab session meeting Wednesday from 2-4, the lab assignment is due the following Wednesday at 2 pm). Late assignments will not be accepted. You are permitted to drop one lab assignment from your final grade. For all labs, plan on bringing standard supplies: laboratory textbook, mechanical pencil, eraser, pen, ruler, protractor, and calculator. Group discussion about laboratory projects is encouraged, but all work submitted for grading must be an individual s sole effort. All written work must be in your own words! Do not let anyone copy your work. Academic honesty is expected, and the usual University rules will be applied to plagiarism or cheating. Lab exams will be administered during the regular lab times. The laboratory final exam will not be comprehensive, but the final 5 labs build upon the material covered prior to the lab midterm exam and thus you will need to retain knowledge of material from the first 6 labs for optimal performance on the lab final exam. A laboratory make-up exam will be provided only to those students documenting their absence as legitimate (e.g., medical illness or family emergency). In most cases this will require either prior consent of the instructor or, for medical 3

4 reasons, a doctor s statement. Non-approved absences may result in a grade of 0 for the missed exam. Grading: Lecture (66%) Laboratory (34%) 3 Lecture Exams (2 highest exams, 20% each) Laboratory exercises (14%) Final Exam (26%) Laboratory midterm exam (10%) Laboratory final exam (10%) There are 3 lectures exams and one final exam. We will drop the lowest lecture exam score. The remaining two are worth 20% each. The final is cumulative and is worth 26% of your grade. There are 11 lab exercises. We will drop the lowest score. The remaining 10 exercises make up 14% of your grade. There is one lab midterm and one lab final, each worth 10% of your grade. The laboratory component of this class is worth 34% of your total grade. We do not give lecture make-up exams! Office Hours: Our office hours are for your benefit. We do not host exam review sessions. Please come see one of us if you have questions. Blackboard: In this class we use Blackboard ( plus your EID) to distribute course materials, to communicate online, and to post grades. You can find support in using Blackboard at the ITS Help Desk at , Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so plan accordingly. Check your Blackboard and regularly for class updates. is recognized as an official mode of university correspondence; therefore, you are responsible for reading your for university and course-related information and announcements. Special Needs: The University of Texas is committed to helping students with special physical or learning needs. Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at (512) (voice) or (video phone). Students with special needs should contact me as soon as possible to ensure that your needs are met in a timely manner. Students with special testtaking needs should contact me at least one week before a scheduled exam. The University of Texas Honor Code: The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community. Students are expected to read and to strictly adhere to the University s Honor Code and written policies on academic dishonesty. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student caught violating University policy will be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs for disciplinary action. All written work must be in your own words! 4

5 GEO 401 Physical Geology (Fall 2010) Unique Numbers Class: JGB 2.324; TTh 2:00-3:30 Labs: JGB 2.310; time according to your unique number Professors: Jaime Barnes, JGB 3.320A, , Office hours: MF 11-12; or by appointment Dan Breecker, JGB 4.124, , Office hours: MF 11-12; or by appointment Online course information: plus your EID Textbooks (both mandatory): Lecture: Understanding Earth, by Grotzinger and Jordan, 6 th edition Laboratory: Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, by Busch, R. M., ed. 8 th edition General: This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of physical geology. There are no prerequisites for this course. There are 3 hours of lecture each week (TTh 2-3:30), and one 2- hour laboratory session (specific to your unique #). Goals of the Course: Most of you will not grow up to be geologists, so why should you take this course? Geology is an interdisciplinary science, incorporating aspects of mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics. We hope to help you to become more critical thinkers by learning to apply the scientific method to your daily life and assess and filter complex material for yourself. You will gain an increased awareness of geological hazards and the tectonic processes responsible for volcanism and earthquakes. We will continually thread the concepts of Earth as a system and plate tectonics to new topics throughout the class. We also hope you will gain an understanding and appreciation of deep time, the processes that formed the soil beneath your feet and the landscapes around you, and your physical impact upon the Earth. Knowledge of geology is useful for careers in education, law, journalism, forensics, public health and many other fields besides the geosciences. Week Date Topic Reading Lab Aug Introduction-Why should we care about geology? Scientific method, Origin of the Earth No lab this week Aug Earth's structure (overview); Plate tectonics Ch.1; p : Plate tectonics 2-Sep Plate tectonics Ch Sep Earth materials- minerals and rocks p : Minerals 5

6 Earth materials- minerals and rocks, con't 6 Monday labs- attend any other session 9-Sep p con't 4 14-Sep Igneous rocks and processes Ch.4 3: Igneous Rocks 16-Sep Sedimentary rocks and processes Ch Sep Metamorphic rocks and processes Ch. 6 4: Sedimentary Rocks 23-Sep ***FIRST EXAM*** 5: Metamorphic 6 28-Sep Deformation Ch. 7 Rocks 30-Sep Geologic Time: relative dating p Oct Geologic Time: absolute dating p : Geologic Time p , 7-Oct Isostasy, continents, orogenesis Ch Oct Volcanoes Ch.12 Lab Midterm Exam 14-Oct Earthquakes Ch Oct Interior of the Earth Ch.14 7: Earthquakes 21-Oct ***SECOND EXAM*** Oct The climate system Ch.15 8: Topographic Maps 28-Oct Weathering and soils Ch Nov The hydrologic cycle and groundwater Ch.17 9: Geologic Structure Rivers and streams: Austin's water 4-Nov supply Ch Nov Winds, deserts, and desertification Ch.19 10: Streams 11- Coastal processes Ch.20 Nov Nov Glaciers Ch.21 11: Groundwater 18- Nov Natural resources p.79-85; Ch Nov 15 Human impact on Earth Thanksgiving- No labs this week Ch.23, con't 25- Nov No class- Thanksgiving 30- Nov ***THIRD EXAM*** Lab Final 2-Dec Overview and Synthesis FINAL EXAM: Thursday, December 9, 2-5 pm (August 30th: Last day of the official add/drop period) Lecture: The lecture schedule gives the order of lectures and indicates associated reading assignments (note, the lecture schedule is subject to change as needed throughout the semester). The lectures and reading assignments are designed to complement and reinforce each other, so please take advantage of your textbook. Anything presented in either the lectures or reading assignments is fair game on examinations. We do not take attendance, but good attendance is critical for your success in this class. Please be considerate of myself and your classmates. We

7 will respect you, so please respect us. Disruptions during lecture will not be tolerated. Please turn off cell phones and pagers! If you bring a laptop to class, please sit where you will not disturb your neighbors. Exams: During the semester there will be three lecture exams, given during the regular lecture period. Each exam will cover material from the date of the previous exam up through the class before the exam. However, this course builds upon basic concepts learned early in the course, therefore you will need to retain knowledge of material covered throughout the semester for optimal performance on all exams. The lecture final exam is cumulative and will cover material from the entire course. Note, we do NOT give lecture make-up exams. You will be allowed to drop your lowest test score from the three lecture exams (see grading below). We do not drop the final exam - everyone must take the final. You must bring your UT ID cards to all exams. Pencils and erasers will NOT be provided. Laboratory: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Credit will not be given for work turned in without attending a lab session. You must attend the lab for which you enrolled (unless prior arrangements have been made with the TA or instructor). Working diligently for the full lab period will ensure minimizing the time required to complete labs outside of lab time and maximizing your grade. Lab exercises are due at the beginning of the next session for that specific lab section (e.g., for a lab session meeting Wednesday from 2-4, the lab assignment is due the following Wednesday at 2 pm). Late assignments will not be accepted. You are permitted to drop one lab assignment from your final grade. For all labs, plan on bringing standard supplies: laboratory textbook, mechanical pencil, eraser, pen, ruler, protractor, and calculator. Group discussion about laboratory projects is encouraged, but all work submitted for grading must be an individual s sole effort. All written work must be in your own words! Do not let anyone copy your work. Academic honesty is expected, and the usual University rules will be applied to plagiarism or cheating. Lab exams will be administered during the regular lab times. The laboratory final exam will not be comprehensive, but the final 5 labs build upon the material covered prior to the lab midterm exam and thus you will need to retain knowledge of material from the first 6 labs for optimal performance on the lab final exam. A laboratory make-up exam will be provided only to those students documenting their absence as legitimate (e.g., medical illness or family emergency). In most cases this will require either prior consent of the instructor or, for medical reasons, a doctor s statement. Non-approved absences may result in a grade of 0 for the missed exam. Grading: Lecture (66%) Laboratory (34%) 3 Lecture Exams (2 highest exams, 20% each) Laboratory exercises (14%) Final Exam (26%) Laboratory midterm exam (10%) Laboratory final exam (10%) There are 3 lectures exams and one final exam. We will drop the lowest lecture exam score. The remaining two are worth 20% each. The final is cumulative and is worth 26% of your grade. 7

8 There are 11 lab exercises. We will drop the lowest score. The remaining 10 exercises make up 14% of your grade. There is one lab midterm and one lab final, each worth 10% of your grade. The laboratory component of this class is worth 34% of your total grade. We do not give lecture make-up exams! Office Hours: Our office hours are for your benefit. We do not host exam review sessions. Please come see one of us if you have questions. Blackboard: In this class we use Blackboard ( plus your EID) to distribute course materials, to communicate online, and to post grades. You can find support in using Blackboard at the ITS Help Desk at , Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so plan accordingly. Check your Blackboard and regularly for class updates. is recognized as an official mode of university correspondence; therefore, you are responsible for reading your for university and course-related information and announcements. Special Needs: The University of Texas is committed to helping students with special physical or learning needs. Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at (512) (voice) or (video phone). Students with special needs should contact me as soon as possible to ensure that your needs are met in a timely manner. Students with special testtaking needs should contact me at least one week before a scheduled exam. The University of Texas Honor Code: The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community. Students are expected to read and to strictly adhere to the University s Honor Code and written policies on academic dishonesty. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student caught violating University policy will be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs for disciplinary action. All written work must be in your own words! 8